Australian country music icon John Williamson said he’s never really performed at an Irish music festival before.
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That’s all about to change come the 2018 Tullamore Irish Festival at Easter.
Event organisers are thrilled to announce that the 72-year-old star will headline their festival next year.
And Williamson is pretty excited about coming to Tullamore too.
“I’m really excited about it, it’s great to get out to the little towns and great that they can do a festival too, which makes it worthwhile,” he said.
“I always look forward to going to the bush, to see certain areas and replenish my knowledge of the country.”
In 2018, the Tullamore Irish Music Festival is celebrating the best of two great cultures, giving it the theme ‘when two great cultures unite’.
Williamson will be flying the Australian flag with a two-hour concert on Saturday afternoon, April 1, and flying the Irish flag is the Barley Shakes, Maria Ford and Blackwater Irish Band.
“I have what I call the sunset clause – it’s a bit of tongue and cheek,” Williamson said.
“Instead of performing at night when the kids go home and the parents stay on, I prefer to perform when all families are together – entertain while the kids are around.”
It’s been a while since Williamson has been to the Parkes and Forbes areas, which he said he used to visit a lot.
“Parkes is a beautiful area and I don’t think of Parkes without thinking of Forbes,” he said.
“Then there’s that very familiar highway, the Newell...it’s very nostalgic for me.”
The idea of asking Williamson to perform at the festival was first floated by Tullamore man and music artist Jay Horsburgh.
“Everyone really liked the idea and we did the budget and we could afford it, so we went with it,” Tullamore Irish Festival Committee publicity and advertising officer Megan Mortimer said.
“He’s an Australian icon and we just thought he would spark more interest in the festival and might bring with him a good crowd.”
Organisers later learned Williamson had some Irish heritage after the star said yes to the invitation.
“He sent us a video message for us to post on Facebook, we were quite excited,” Megan said.
“Then the bookings started coming in straight away, we offered early bird discounts and that’s filling up quickly.
“We’re aiming for well over 2000 people next year.
“We haven’t got there yet but we’re on our way.”
Along with regular festival performer Damien Leith, Megan said Williamson will be the biggest act they’ve ever had.
“I think it’s great that he wants to come to a country town like Tullamore and wants to meet the people,” she said.
“It’s exciting to have such a big celebrity in town.”
Williamson said his maternal grandmother had Irish ancestry, adding that he himself was a mix of Irish, Scottish and Spanish.
Combine this with growing up in Quambatook in Mallee and being a sixth generation wheat farmer – or used to be, having left the family farm at 23 years old – Williamson is the right fit for the Tullamore Irish Festival.
“I think people know I had a rural background,” he said of his connection with farmers and country people.
“I can relate to the hardships of farmers – I know farmers are good, hard and honest workers, I know my father certainly was.”
Williamson has a career spanning more than 40 years and used to perform 120 shows a year.
He’s no longer doing that many shows these days but admits he’s a little surprised he’s still going.
“I wouldn’t have thought I’d still be performing,” he said.
“But it’s the best it’s ever been, the crowds are starting to build again.”
Williamson said he’ll definitely be around to sign autographs and meet locals when he’s in Tullamore.
“That’s when I meet the bushies,” he said.
“And that’s when they tell me what songs I didn’t play and what I should have played,” he laughed.
“I have over 500 songs, there’s always going to be a few songs I don’t play.”
As well as great music the festival will be offering Irish food, Irish dancing, and a shearing demonstration.
There’s camping with powered and non powered sites and a tent town.
The Tullamore Irish Festival begins on Good Friday evening, March 31, with the opening of the art show.
Easter Saturday is the main day, kicking off with the famous street parade and then a day full of music, dancing and laughter.
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